India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI Live Streaming, TV Channel, Start Time and Lineups: How to Watch IND vs AFG in Dharamsala
India will begin its first-ever bilateral ODI series against Afghanistan on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. The three-match contest is an important part of both teams’ preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup and gives India another opportunity to test a refreshed one-day squad under captain Shubman Gill.
India enter the series as clear favorites after a dominant Test win in Mullanpur earlier in the month, but the ODI format presents a different challenge. Afghanistan, despite struggling against India’s spin attack in the Test match, have developed a strong reputation in white-ball cricket and remain a dangerous side in limited-overs conditions. Their recent global performances have shown that they can compete strongly against top teams when given the right format and conditions.
India’s squad features a mix of youth and experience. Yashasvi Jaiswal returns to ODI cricket, while several players from the T20I setup also continue to be part of the team. Rohit Sharma remains in the squad, adding senior leadership, alongside KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Washington Sundar. The lineup reflects India’s effort to build depth and flexibility ahead of future major tournaments, with Gill leading a side that looks geared toward long-term planning rather than short-term continuity alone.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, are expected to rely on their proven core of white-ball performers. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and Hashmatullah Shahidi are likely to anchor the batting order, while all-round options such as Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai provide balance. Their bowling attack remains one of the team’s biggest strengths, with Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad and Fazalhaq Farooqi offering a varied and high-quality combination of spin and pace.
The first ODI will be played at 1:30 p.m. IST on Sunday, June 14, 2026. Fans in India can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network, including Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, and their HD channels. Live streaming will be available on the JioHotstar app and website.
The full series will continue after the opener, with the second ODI scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, 2026, at Ekana International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, also starting at 1:30 p.m. IST. The third and final ODI will be held on Friday, June 20, 2026, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, again with a 1:30 p.m. IST start.
With India looking to build momentum in the 50-over format and Afghanistan aiming to challenge one of the world’s strongest ODI sides, the series promises to be a valuable and closely watched contest.
